Nursing

The power of expert care.

As patients are maintaining health or going through pivotal moments, nurses are there. With evidence-based skills and plenty of compassion, you may help bring new life safely into the world. Become a patient’s go-to resource and caretaker throughout his hospital stay. Chart a patient’s progress in preventative visits. Or even help patients stay comfortable near the end of their lives, and support their families through the process.

Become a highly skilled registered nurse.

Working with the latest simulation technology in our labs and directly with patients through immersive clinical experiences, you’ll learn how to deliver science-based and compassionate healthcare. You’ll work closely with world-class educators, physicians and other members of the health care team in complex, dynamic, fast-moving environments. And you’ll graduate prepared to care for the whole person – physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

Modern Facilities

Clinical Experience

As a vital part of the nursing program, students are assigned to clinical rotations in some of the world's finest healthcare institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital at Worcester Medical Center.

Prestigious Affiliations

The School of Nursing is widely recognized for top-notch clinical opportunities, and our programs are developed in collaboration with Boston’s Harvard-affiliated hospitals and other institutions in the renowned Longwood Medical Area.

Honor Society

Outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who exemplify excellence in nursing knowledge, clinical practice, and leadership are invited to join the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.

Symbiotic Learning

Using a clinical immersion model, nursing practice informs nursing education, and nursing education influences the practice of nursing and the delivery of healthcare.

A field of growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow at a much faster rate than many other occupations, with a potential 16% increase in jobs needed by 2024. The demand for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses, is projected to grow 31% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is partly driven by increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, as well as increasing demand for healthcare services from the large, aging baby-boom population as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations.

Well-prepared

With innovative training and immersive clinical opportunities, our graduates are extremely well prepared to enter and advance in the field of nursing. Clinical education experiences are varied so that students are prepared for professional practice in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Well-paid

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $67,490 in May 2015, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $101,630. Advanced practice registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $104,740 in May 2015, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $171,560.

Job satisfaction

Nursing occupations score high rankings in the 2016 careers lists by the U.S. News for their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors, including salary, the number of expected openings, advancement opportunities and career fulfillment. Registered nurses rank #16 in the Best Health Care Jobs, and #22 in the 100 Best Jobs. Nurse anesthetists rank #3 in the Best Health Care Jobs, #4 in the 100 Best Jobs, and #10 in the Best Paying Jobs. Nurse practitioners rank #5 in the Best Health Care Jobs, and #6 in the 100 Best Jobs.

A pre-licensure candidate for the BSN degree must have abilities and skills in four areas: communication, observation, motor function and endurance, and behavioral maturity. Rea­sonable accommodations may be made for some disabilities. However, pre-licensure BSN students must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner, with or without accommodations.

Communication

Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team through oral, written, and interpersonal means.

Must be able to obtain information, describe patient situations, and perceive both oral and non-verbal communication (including ability to understand normal speech with­out seeing the speaker's face).

Must be able to speak, comprehend, read, and write in English at a level that meets the need for accurate, clear and effective communication; examples include but are not limited to: giving clear oral reports, reading watches or clocks with second hands, read­ing graphs, reading and understanding documents printed in English, writing legibly in English, and discriminating subtle differences in medical terminology.

Observation

Must be able to observe a patient accurately; examples include but are not limited to:

listening to heart and breath sounds; visualizing the appearance of a surgical wound; detecting bleeding, unresponsiveness, or other changes in patient status; detecting the presence of foul odor; and palpating an abdomen.

Must be able to detect and respond to emergency situations, including audible alarms (e.g., monitors, call bells, fire alarms).

Motor Function and Endurance

Must have sufficient strength and mobility to work effectively and safely with patients and carry out nursing care activities; examples include but are not limited to: lifting and positioning patients (lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying up to 25 pounds), transferring patients in and out of bed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (AHA Healthcare Provider), preparation and administration of medications (oral, injection, intravenous, includ­ing hanging IV bags at shoulder height), reading and emptying body fluid collection devices below bed level, application of pressure to stop bleeding, clearing/opening an obstructed airway, and provision of daily hygiene care.

Must be able to complete assigned periods of clinical practice, including up to twelve-hour shifts (including days, evenings, nights, weekends).

Must be able to respond at a speed and in a manner sufficient to carry out patient as­signments within the allotted time.

Behavioral

Must possess mental and emotional health required for total utilization of intellectual abilities.

Must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads.

Must be able to respond and function effectively during stressful situations.

Must be capable of adapting to rapidly-changing environments, and respond with flex­ibility in uncertain situations.

Must be able to interact appropriately with others (e.g. patients, families, members of healthcare team) in various healthcare contexts.

The mission of the School of Nursing is to provide students with a high quality and innovative education and to foster scientific inquiry and professional services.

The School of Nursing undertakes planning and evaluation in order to accomplish and improve the achievement of its mission. Long-term planning objectives are articulated in the School of Nursing Strategic Plan

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offered on the Manchester campus has received Full Approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, located at 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16, Concord, NH 03301-2431; tel.: 603.271.2323, fax: 603.271.6605, website: http://www.nh.gov/nursing.